Negotiations on global plastic pollution treaty end without agreement in South Korea

Negotiations for a treaty to combat plastic pollution ended in Busan, South Korea, without an agreement. This was intended to be the final round of talks to create a legally binding treaty by the end of 2024. Countries will reconvene next year to continue discussions. The recent session included over 3,300 participants from more than 170 countries, highlighting a growing interest in addressing global plastic production. Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency, as many negotiations occurred behind closed doors. Indigenous groups expressed disappointment over their exclusion from the process. Despite these challenges, there is optimism that a treaty can be finalized in future meetings.